Okmalumkoolkat

Okmalumkoolkat, born Smiso Zwane, is a pioneering South African rapper, songwriter, and cultural trendsetter whose futuristic approach to music, fashion, and visual identity has helped define a new era of South African creativity. As one half of the groundbreaking duo Dirty Paraffin and later as a solo artist, Okmalumkoolkat became one of the first voices to merge kwaito influences with electronic production and global club culture, a sound he famously coined “Future Mfana” and “Digital Maskandi.”

Renowned for his inventive wordplay, genre-bending flows, and unmatched creative energy, Okmalumkoolkat has built a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking artists in the African music landscape. His breakout solo projects, including Holy Oxygen and Mlazi Milano, solidified his place as a musical innovator whose influence reaches far beyond the borders of hip-hop. With hits like "Gqi", "Amalobolo"and “Ntwana Yam”, he continues to shape South Africa’s cultural conversation while inspiring a new generation of artists, producers, and designers.

A visionary performer with a distinctive aesthetic, Okmalumkoolkat brings together music, digital art, street culture, and fashion into a seamless creative identity. His collaborations span continents and genres, reflecting his role as both a cultural ambassador and a boundary-pushing artist unafraid to experiment and evolve.

Energetic, original, and endlessly imaginative, Okmalumkoolkat stands as one of South Africa’s most influential contemporary creatives, a trailblazer whose work has helped redefine what modern African music and culture can be.